● MONDAY, September 29
Property of “Termocom” to be transferred to CET-2 based on sale-purchase contract
The heat production, distribution and supply facilities of SA “Termocom” will be transmitted to SA CET-2 based on a sale-purchase contract. This will happen when the 10-day period that will be given to the local public authorities expires. The local authorities will enjoy advantages when the given contract is signed. The Government assumed political responsibility before Parliament for this bill. The list of transferred property will be approved by the Creditors’ Committee, while its sale-purchase price will be equal to its market value. Deputy Minister of Economy Octavian Calmac said the classical procedure for merging CET-1, CET-2 and SA Termocom, which was proposed by the Ministry of Economy and approved by the Government on November 18, 2013, was challenged in court.
Bill on joint stock companies contains corruptible provisions, CAPC
The bill to amend the legislation on joint stock companies includes corruptible provisions. Furthermore, it wasn’t subject to decisional transparency. The Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption (CAPC) assessed the bill and recommended the author – MP Veaceslav Ionita – to provide more arguments as regards the necessity of adopting this initiative. In a news conference expert Oleg Utsica said the legislative initiative is welcome as it aims to adjust the legislation to the Law on the Capital Market. But the document contains not very well regulated aspects and allows the procedures to overlap.
Iurie Leanca meets with IMF experts
Prime Minister Iurie Leanca had a meeting with the mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that is in Moldova. The meeting centered on the objectives of the second IMF mission led by Max Alier that came to conduct the second Post-Program Monitoring. According to the Government’s press service, Max Alier said that in accordance with the mission’s objectives, the main subjects discussed concern the expectations and forecasts for the macroeconomic situation in 2014 and in the medium term, taking into account the possible internal and external vulnerabilities, the budget outlook for this year, the medium-term budgetary framework and the situation in the financial-baking sector of Moldova.
● TUESDAY, September 30
Moldova is first EaP country that joined COSME program
The European Union and Moldova have signed an agreement on Moldova’s participation in the EU Program for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2014-2020 (COSME). Thus, Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership country that joined this program. According to the Ministry of Economy, the participation in COSME ensures Moldova’s access to different projects, such as the Enterprise Europe Network, and represents a new step in the economic cooperation between Moldova and the EU. The program will offer assistance to Moldova to develop and enhance the competitiveness of the SME sector, contributing thus to the successful implementation of the Association Agreement that covers the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Moldova and the EU.
● WEDNESDAY, October 1
Premier seeks new oil price formation methodology
Prime Minister Iurie Leanca asked hastening the approval of the new methodology for setting the prices of oil products. “There is an oil price formation tendency that nobody can neglect, but in our country these tendencies produce the opposite effect. When the price of a barrel of oil decreases on the international markets from US$111 per barrel to US$97, yesterday to US$96, the prices in Moldova go up, allegedly in the light of the depreciation of the leu. We have held negotiations with the National Energy Regulatory Agency and with companies working in the field for years so as to approve a new clear methodology for setting prices, but this didn’t happen,” Iurie Leanca said in the September 29 meeting of the Cabinet.
Moldova asks for reduction of US$5-6 in export price of Russian gas
The Russian gas will be supplied to Moldova based on the formula defined in the old contract that is to be again extended. Moldova asks for a reduction of US$5-6 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas, for which the country now pays US$374. “They promised they will examine this possibility, but told us to come and present our strategy for rescheduling the payment of the debt for gas. Our experts are now working on this strategy, which should be presented by November 1. Afterward, it will be decided whether the contract for the supply of gas for next year will be signed or the current contract will be extended,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Andrian Candu, referring to the results of the meeting with representatives of Russia’s Gazprom.
Ritlabs taking part in specialized exhibition of business products B2B Expo
The exhibitions center “Moldexpo” is hosting the second International Specialized Forum-Exhibition of Products and Services for Business B2B Expo from October 1 until October 3. The event involves companies from Moldova and aboard that provide business-to-business solutions and platforms. Among the main national representatives is the company Ritlabs, which produces the well-known email management program The Bat!. Ritlabs marketing manager Leonid Agapiev said he was satisfied with the participation in B2B expo. “We prepared and expected such public. Different companies are present here and this is advantageous to us as many of them are potential clients. There are also clients that have used our products for many years. The impressions are positive. Everyone is welcoming and cheerful. I think we will find new contacts, but will also maintain the existing ones,” he stated.
Highest Internet connection speed in Moldova on trial
The highest Internet connection speed in Moldova, provided by the national telecoms carrier Moldtelecom, has been tested within the second Expert Innovations Studio. The participants in the event were able to familiarize themselves with the communications technology of the future – the 100G network - and to see its benefits in practice. They found out the technical parameters needed to reach the speed of 1 Gbps. According to a communiqué of the carrier, Safe Web and Cloud M were another two recently launched services presented by Moldtelecom. With Safe Web, the parents can now don’t worry about the websites accessed by the children. Safe Web ensures the safety of navigating trough the Internet and protects users from dangerous content.
● THURSDAY, October 2
Moldova, Slovakia to cooperate in area of competition
Slovakia will help Moldova to adjust and implement the legislation on competition according to the European standards. Experts of the Competition Authority of Slovakia have come to Chisinau for an experience exchange with employees of the Competition Council of Moldova. The visit launched the cooperation relations between the two countries in the area of competition. Competition Council head Viorica Carare underlined the importance of the bilateral cooperation. “We are members of a number of European and international institutions, but the bilateral agreements are also very important. Within them, concrete work can be done on particular segments with colleagues from other competent bodies and we can learn from their experience. We have agreements with a number of countries from Europe and the CIS and are now discussing a similar accord with our colleagues from Slovakia,” she stated, adding that the Council is making effort to implement the European legislation on competition.
Moldova’s economy grew by 3.9% driven by higher exports and fixed investments
Moldova’s economy registered a 3.9 percent GDP growth in the first half of 2014, driven by higher exports and fixed investments. Despite an unfavorable regional environment due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Moldova’s external position has remained strong, but downward risks to the macroeconomic framework persist and will negatively affect growth for the rest of 2014, says new World Bank Moldova Economic Update. Moldova’s external position has remained strong and monetary policies have been consistent with the inflation target of 5+/-1.5 percent. By end-August, consumer prices increased 5.1 percent year-on-year. On the one hand, low growth in domestic consumption, good agricultural harvest and Russian restrictions on agro-food imports from Moldova contributed to disinflationary pressures. On the other hand, continued soft stance of monetary conditions and depreciation of national currency to USD and EUR counterbalanced the downward pressures on prices.
Three labs for testing road quality opened
Three laboratories for checking the quality of roads, concrete and thermopane systems were set up in Chisinau. The equipment was purchased from Turkey and cost about €100,000. The money was allocated from the state budget. The labs are outfitted with last-generation technology and will provide a wide range of services in accordance with the European standards. Attending the inauguration, Minister of Regional Development and Construction Marcel Raducan said the labs will test the resistance to wind and rain of the thermopane systems, while the lab for testing concrete and building materials for roads will ensure a better quality of road infrastructure and greater responsibility on the part of builders.
● FRIDAY, October 3
Purcari launches wine of freedom
The wine company Purcari is launching the wine of freedom made in a limited amount from special grapes Rare Black (Moldova), Bastardo (Ukraine) and Saperavi (Georgia). “Purcari Freedom Blend” was made to celebrate the independence of the three states. According to a communiqué of the company, in 2011, when Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia marked 20 years of the proclamation of independence, the grape harvest was exceptional. The wine will be launched in the Great National Assembly Square, at the stand of Purcari, on October 4. Within the event, the visitors will be able to taste the new “Freedom Blend” and other exceptional wines that made Moldova famous abroad.
Over 2,000 foreign tourists to take part in National Wine Day event
The preparations for the National Wine Day in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau are close to an end. More than 2,000 tourists from all over the world made reservations to take part in this event. Twenty-two foreign journalists were accredited to cover the event. In a press briefing, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Gheorghe Gaberi said the 13th National Wine Day is for the first time organized by the National Office of Vine and Wine that started work this year. “The best national wine producers will be present at the event and we hope we will impress the guests from abroad,” he stated.
Premier meets with agriculture ministers of Germany and Romania
The Moldovan wines and other exported products are of a high quality and can be competitive on the European market, while Romania and Germany will support the development of Moldova’s agriculture and the promotion of the Moldovan goods in the EU. Such assurances were made in the meeting of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca with the Minister of Agriculture of Germany Christian Schmidt and Romanian Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin in Chisinau. Daniel Constantin reasserted that his country is ready to support the development of agriculture and the European integration of Moldova. “We must make effort for the Moldovan products to find their place on the European market as soon as possible,” he stated.
New German and Romanian funds for phytosanitary lab of Moldova
The agriculture ministers of Germany, Romania and Moldova have signed in Chisinau an amendment for extending the Memorandum on the implementation of the project to create and run the laboratory for determining pesticide residues in plants, soil and products of non-animal origin. The modernization of this law will allow examining and certifying the quality of Moldovan agricultural products so that they can be exported to the EU. The initial agreement envisioned financing of US$600,000. Under the amendment signed today, Romania will offer another U$200,000, while the German Government will consider the possibility of allocating financing of €1 million through the Federal Enterprise for
International Cooperation (GIZ).
● SATURDAY, October 4
Project to build ring road to bypass Rezina town
The large trucks of “Lafarge Ciment” factory will be redirected to a beltway that will bypass Rezina town and Ciorna village. Minister of Transport and Road Infrastructure Vasile Botnari, who was on a working visit to Rezina district, agreed with the local public authorities and the administration of “Lafarge Ciment” to build a ring road bypassing Rezina by the end of next year. The Ministry of Transport and the administration of “Lafarge Ciment” will sign a memorandum of understanding in this respect so that the works start as quickly as possible. “The construction of the beltway to avoid Rezina will solve the problem of noise caused by the large trucks with cement going through Rezina and Ciorna.
